Recent surveys point to a growth in the number of Brazilians who visit Italy annually. According to the National Tourism Agency of Italy in Brazil (Enit), the destination expects an increase of at least 20% in the number of Brazilians visiting Italy in 2017, compared to last year. The data for 2016 have not yet been closed, but in 2015 the country received 873 thousand Brazilians, an increase of 14.4% compared to 2014. In the number of overnight stays, there were 2.2 million, a 16.9% increase in Compared to 2014. To get an idea of the economic impact, last year Brazilians spending in Italy grew by 5.7% compared to 2015.
The 20 Italian regions: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardy, Marche, Molise, Piemonte, Puglia, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, Trentino Alto Adige, Umbria, Valle d ‘Aosta and Veneto form an attractive map and become inviting at any time of the year.
Italy, through Enit, confirms participation as an exhibitor at FESTURIS Gramado – International Tourism Fair, from November 9th to 12th, 2017. The country joins several international destinations already confirmed as: Texas, Argentina, Barbados, Las Vegas, Los Cabos, Dominican Republic, Seychelles, Santa Monica, South Africa, Tahiti, Uruguay, Peru, Mexico, Portugal, California, among others.
In an interview with FESTURIS, Fernanda Longobardo, responsible for Enit, talks about the close relationship between Brazil and Italy, and the actions that the agency designs to enhance the attractiveness of Brazilian tourists.
FESTURIS – Currently which regions are up in Italy?
Fernanda Longobardo – Italy has 20 regions and Brazilians identify with all of them. Culture, historical heritage, religious tourism, seaside tourism, gastronomy, wine tourism and, of course, sports. But not only football, golf and skiing are also on the rise. Not to mention all the cultural wealth that Italy offers.
FESTURIS – What are the main actions taken this year to promote the destination in Brazil?
Fernanda Longobardo – We are participating in the most important trade events to promote our tourism in the country. We also support various events and exhibitions, such as the Leonardo da Vinci, which runs through some cities in the country, as well as co-marketing with operators and training workshops. Press-trips and fun-trips are also scheduled.
FESTURIS – What facilities do Brazilian and South American tourists find when deciding to visit Italy?
Fernanda Longobardo – Italy is a brother country of Brazil. We have a lot in common and the Brazilian feels very much at home in Italy. The gastronomy, no doubt, is the main responsible for this brotherhood. But the relationship with the family, with religion and with the natural beauties, culture and everything else, make Brazilians see, in Italy, a mandatory destination when they decide to travel.
FESTURIS – Italy returns to Festa Gramis. This return brings the destination of the South American trade and the gaucho professionals who have a strong connection with the country through its colonization. How does the representation see and intend to enhance this approach?
Fernanda Longobardo – We know the importance of FESTURIS in the Brazilian tourism scene and we could not stay out. It’s another opportunity to get closer to the trade as a whole.
FESTURIS – At the fair in November, what is the main destination approach to selling to professionals?
Fernanda Longobardo – We will spread Italy as a whole, this is our role. But we want to resume our presence with trade and we know that FESTURIS is the best opportunity for this.
Photo: Reproduction